[PSUBS-MAILIST] PSUBS and FBI

["Jon Wallace" <jon@psubs.org>]

Hello,

 

Given the growing popularity of using submersibles for illegal and/or suspicious activities, the federal government is interested in knowing more about psub type submersibles.  One thing I've not seen anyone talk about regarding the convention yet, is that we were approached by a special agent of the FBI on Friday at the dive site.  I had accounted for all participants except for Frank D, and not having met him before I didn't know what he looked like.  Shortly after we arrived at the dive location, I saw a gentleman walking down the path.  I approached him and said "Frank?" anticipating that Frank D. had arrived.  He said "no", then looked at me and said "Jon?".  I said "yes", and he then pulled out his FBI identification (Special Agent David Smith), explained why he was there, and asked to learn more about the submersibles we use.

 

Agent Smith made it clear from the outset that we were not doing anything illegal and he was not there to stop us from using our submersibles or continuing with our convention.  I brought him around to the various subs we had on site, explained how they functioned, and also explained the difference between 1-ATM, ambient, and wet-subs.  I then invited him to speak to us the next day at the seminar we were holding, which he agreed to do.  Agent Smith spoke to the assembled group on Saturday and explained that after the sub/QE2 incident in New York recently, the FBI was researching small subs.  He explained that in the post-9/11 environment, the FBI would like us to remain vigilant and report any suspicious requests, discussions, or activity that might seem out of the realm of what a recreational/personal submersible might be used for.

 

Given another drug sub capture, we can expect continuing attention to our hobby.

 

Jon